AQR Capital Management LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG)

AQR Capital Management LLC raised its position in Regency Centers Co. (NASDAQ:REG - Free Report) by 48.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 55,774 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 18,133 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC's holdings in Regency Centers were worth $4,117,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in REG. Heck Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. National Pension Service acquired a new stake in Regency Centers in the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in Regency Centers by 48,700.0% during the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 488 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 487 shares during the period. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan bought a new position in shares of Regency Centers in the 4th quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regency Centers during the fourth quarter worth approximately $54,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.07% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on REG shares. Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Regency Centers from $76.00 to $75.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Regency Centers from $80.00 to $79.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $78.00.

Insider Activity at Regency Centers

In related news, CFO Michael J. Mas sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $73.60, for a total value of $1,472,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 54,020 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,975,872. This represents a 27.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, Chairman Martin E. Stein, Jr. sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.48, for a total value of $3,674,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman now directly owns 110,263 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,102,125.24. This represents a 31.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 95,000 shares of company stock worth $6,977,500. 1.00% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Regency Centers Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ REG traded down $0.78 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $73.05. 1,091,233 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,041,717. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.46, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.75 and a beta of 1.02. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $71.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.95. Regency Centers Co. has a 52 week low of $58.19 and a 52 week high of $78.18.

Regency Centers (NASDAQ:REG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $370.35 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $364.64 million. Regency Centers had a net margin of 27.54% and a return on equity of 5.91%. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Regency Centers Co. will post 4.54 EPS for the current year.

Regency Centers Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 11th will be given a $0.705 dividend. This represents a $2.82 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.86%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 11th. Regency Centers's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.02%.

Regency Centers Company Profile

Regency Centers is a preeminent national owner, operator, and developer of shopping centers located in suburban trade areas with compelling demographics. Our portfolio includes thriving properties merchandised with highly productive grocers, restaurants, service providers, and best-in-class retailers that connect to their neighborhoods, communities, and customers.